Pune: At least 18 labourers were killed and 15 others injured when a speeding truck overturned in western Maharashtra's Satara district in the early hours today, a police official said.

The condition of three of the injured labourers was reported to be critical, he said.

The police suspect that the driver "dozed off" and lost control of the vehicle while managing a difficult turn, leading to the accident.

The truck, carrying construction labourers from Vijayapura district in the state, was going towards Pune when it met with the accident around 4.30 am on Mumbai-Bengaluru highway passing through the district, around 250 km from here, Satara's Superintendent of Police Sandeep Patil said.

"After crossing the Khambatki ghat section, there is a difficult turning of 'S' shape. It is an accident-prone spot. The truck driver probably dozed off and lost control over the wheels, as a result of which the vehicle hit a barricade and overturned," he said.

At least 18 labourers died, while 15 others sustained injuries, he said.

The labourers, carrying heavy and sharp equipment, were heading to a construction site in Pune, Patil said.

"They were carrying some sharp and heavy equipment in the truck. When the vehicle overturned, the equipment fell on the labourers. Many of them died due to head injuries caused by the equipment," the SP said.

On being informed, the Khandala police rushed the spot and took all the victims to the Satara Civil Hospital, he said.

Three of the injured labourers were reported to be in a critical condition, he said.

The bodies were sent for postmortem and the process to identify the deceased was on, the police added.

 

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Mangalore: Bearys Knowledge Campus in Inoli, Mangalore, hosted a vibrant inter-school and inter-college competition, "Uthkarsh 2024," organized by the Bearys Group of Institutions. The event drew 430 students from 25 schools and colleges across Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod districts, providing a platform to showcase their talents and creativity.

The day featured a variety of competitions, including quizzes, science rangoli, e-waste model creation, working model presentations, photography, and treasure hunts. The contests were designed to inspire and challenge high school and PU students, fostering innovation and teamwork.

Winners were rewarded with cash prizes totaling ₹1 lakh, along with mementos and certificates, recognizing their creativity and intellectual efforts.

The valedictory ceremony was attended by several distinguished guests, including Dr. Azeez Musthafa, Principal of BIES, Arch. Khaleel Razak, Principal of BEADS, BK Abdul Latheef, Principal of BIPUC, Prof. Prithviraj, Director of BITP, Dr. Abdullah Gubbi, HOD of Electronics and Communication Engineering, Dr. Nalini Rebello, HOD of Civil Engineering, Dr. Anjum Khan, HOD of Basic Science, Dr. Vasanth Kumar, HOD of Mechanical Engineering, Prof. Sinan, HOD of Computer Science Engineering, and Dr. Mehboob Mujawar, HOD of AI & DS Engineering. Mrs. Prafulla, the program coordinator, played a crucial role in organizing the event.

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